| Fan Fiction |
by Shweta
“Who’s Gillian?” Ariel asked fearing for the answer. Was she Joe’s girlfriend? Did Ariel come between them?
“She’s our next door neighbour.” Joe said still in shock. Another woman in his life dead. First Selina, then Gillian, and now they’re after Ariel…what if…No! He couldn’t think that way. He looked up at Ariel. She was lost deep in thought. “What are you thinking about?”
“Is this the girl you spoke to on the plane?”
“You…you heard us?”
“No…I just heard you speaking to someone telling them where we were going.”
“Yes, this is her…she’s my best friend, and I lost her.” Joe sighed.
“Was she very close? I’m so sorry Joe…This is all because of me.”
“No, Ariel. It’s not your fault. Somebody’s chasing you, and killing everything that comes in their way…I just don’t know, how do they know where we are!”
Ariel’s was filled with disbelief…this would mean…No! It can’t be! How could Joe’s mother be responsible for Gillian’s death! How could Joe’s mother be behind the attacks on her! This was impossible…But the odds are all lined up against her.
Joe told his mother their location, and now they were being attacked. Joe asked his friend Gillian for help, and now she’s dead. With all the evidence pointing to her, Ariel still didn’t understand the motive behind the attacks. Why would Joe’s mother, want her daughter-in-law to be killed? And was it only her, or did she want Joe out of the way too? But why? Wasn’t she his mother?
Ariel’s eyes widened in shock. Joe’s mother was dead! That would explain everything. Vikram wasn’t demented. He was telling the truth all this while.
“Joe, I…I think we should listen to Vikram.”
“Hmm?” Joe wasn’t paying attention to Ariel, his mind completely on the news he just received. He turned as Vikram came to a stop and looked out of the window.
“Where are we?” He demanded of Vikram as he realised they were parked in front of a cemetery.
“It is my duty to take you to your mother’s grave sire.” Vikram replied, and got out of the car. Ariel followed him, but Joe remained seated.
“My mother is alive and well, and probably trying to restore peace in my life right now. Please take me to the airport.”
“I will sire, but not before you visit her grave.”
“Vikram, what is wrong with you? How many times do I…”
“Joe, I think we should listen to him…I think he’s right about your mother.”
“Ariel…you too? You believe in the lies he’s telling us? He might be responsible for the attacks himself!”
“In that case, why are we still alive Joe? He had ample opportunities to kill us on our journey from the villa to here, or could have finished us off when we landed in Dubai.”
“Maybe he has a plan.” Joe snapped.
“Joe, even you don’t believe that…if you did you wouldn’t still be sitting in the car.”
“Fine! Let’s go visit this lady’s grave…whoever she is! It’s not my mother!”
“Thank you sire…it is also time I told you whatever I learnt in this past day. I have inquired about your mother to my friend, and it is time I told you about it.”
“Oh, well this should be interesting. Let’s hear it then, I can’t wait to hear the rubbish you’ve cooked up for us.”
“Joe…the least you could do is hear the man out.” Ariel said patiently, whatever Vikram had to say could lead to the reason behind why Joe’s mother wanted them dead.
“Your mother’s name is Lucy…Lucy Yan, she married your father Baron Cheng and they both had you.”
“Well, this is news to me! I didn’t know my father or my mother’s name, thanks for telling me Vikram.” Joe interrupted.
“Joe, please listen to the man.” Ariel said grabbing hold of Joe’s arm, as they entered the cemetery.
“Thank you ma’am.” Vikram bowed a little. “Your mother and father spent most of their married years here in Dubai, as she found this place beautiful, she bought and decorated a villa here in Dubai and insisted on spending every living moment here. Then she found out she was pregnant with you…”
Joe gave a shrug of impatience and Ariel increased the pressure on Joe’s arms, they were walking straight towards a stone of black. The tombstone stood out as it was the only one in black and gold.
“She was very happy, but the pregnancy made her weak, she couldn’t handle the pain and stress related to pregnancy. She was tired all the time, and then found out that if she gave birth to you, it would mean to kill herself. She shared this secret with only me, not even with your father.” Vikram finished weakly, he bowed his head down as though in respect to the woman he was talking about.
“And…?” Ariel probed when Vikram didn’t continue.
“And, she gave birth to you, and died. At the funeral there was another woman, Lucy Tian. She looked somewhat like your mother. I mistook her to be Mrs. Cheng’s sister when I was told that she was only her best friend. After that I do not know what happened sire…but yesterday I called my friend who was shifted there after the funeral, she informed me that Mr. Cheng married Lucy Tian, and hid the truth about your real mother from you. I do not know why sire, but if it was me, I would make sure you knew your real mother. She was a gem of a lady and she loved you, even though she never got a chance to see you.”
Ariel tried to process everything she heard from Vikram. So Joe’s real mother was dead, and was replaced by her best friend Lucy. Two girls of the same name? They even looked alike? Was that a co-incidence or was there something more to it? Were they only best friends, or something more? But why would Lucy want to kill her friend’s son? How could she agree to get married to her best friend’s grieving husband? Ariel shook her head and looked up at Joe. His expression was unreadable. She wanted to know what was going on in his mind, but she couldn’t understand anything by his expression.
“And this sire, is your mother’s tomb.” Vikram said coming to a stop in front of the same black tomb with golden writing. On the tomb written were the words…
‘Here lies Lucy Cheng, a loving wife, a caring daughter, and a beautiful woman. 1961-1986. May she rest in peace.’
Vikram bowed down in front of the tomb, and dropped a rose, clearing a withered rose from it’s romb.
“I come here every day and leave a rose.” He explained straightening up. “This is your mother’s tomb sire. And it is true what was said, she was a beautiful woman. She wanted to be buried in Dubai, her favourite place in the world.”
“You’re lying! Stop it! This is all fake. My mother is not dead!”
“Clearly the evidence goes against you sire.” Vikram pointed out.
Joe was about to reply when his phone rang again. He looked at the caller name, gave a little smile and clicked the speaker phone option.
“Hello? Joe darling? Are you alright?”
Ariel gasped for breathe, his mom was calling! Why? Maybe to find out where they were now.
“Yes mother I am. Mother, we are with Vikram, he has this…”
“With Vikram?” His mother cut in before he could finish his sentence. “Didn’t you fire him dear?” She asked. Ariel felt she seemed a little worried.
“Yes mother, I did, he rescued us today, I was being attacked again. Listen mother…Vikram has brought me to a grave, apparently my real mother’s grave. And incarnated on the tomb is…well I don’t know who she is, but she can’t be my mother, right?” Joe asked a little unsure of himself. It took a little while for his mother to reply, or it seemed so to Ariel. When she did reply, her voice seemed a little shaky.
“Right dear, you ignore that, maybe this is a trick he’s playing. Where are you now, dear? I want to know you’re exact location.”
“Mother, I think we will check into a hotel here somewhere, and catch a flight back to Taiwan tomorrow. I saw a hotel a while back, some Ritz hotel. I will check into that.”
“Good dear, stay safe. And, dear…I’m sorry to inform you…Gillian is…she’s…”
“Dead, I know mother.” Joe supplied.
“How do you…?”
“Vikram told me.” Joe replied before she could finish her sentence.
“Oh did he? Well, take care dear, I’ll be waiting for you to return.”
Joe hung up the phone and turned to Ariel. She had a horrified look on her face.
“What happened to you?”
“Nothing…” Ariel replied. Joe had told his mother where they were staying…would she attack them now?
***
Next chapter is going to be very interesting so hang on! =D
I also updated when love strikes (winglin.net/fanfic/shweta10)
and A Maths Geek's super secret diary. (http://shwetastories.webs.com/amgssd.html)
By the poster you must be thinking who are these new characters? Well you will find out soon! Plz keep reading =)
Thnx to Amy from deliri0us.co.nr for the poster!
Check out shwetastories.webs.com for my other stories.